Imre & Inga adventures

12/04/2025

Norway is arguably the most beautiful country I've visited. So last summer, naturally, we took another road trip to the north. After visiting Central America, we wanted to explore the freedom of having a car and taking a trip wherever the 4 wheels would take us. So we went to Arctic Norway for the second time. In my experience, there are not many places that can match the raw beauty that Norway has. And since we had only around 2 weeks (including driving up north and back), we wanted something that we could count on that would, for sure, satisfy the need for travel and seeing something otherworldly. It did not disappoint.
This was the 2nd trip last year before taking on the Balkans later in the year and postponing the summer feel until mid-November. While writing this, we are just weeks away from one of the dream trips we have had for as long as I can remember.

23/02/2025

Ometepe Island, Nicaragua, was an absolute gem and one of the biggest highlights at the start of last year. Picture this: two towering volcanoes rising from a shimmering lake, lush jungle trails, hidden waterfalls, and a laid-back island vibe that felt like stepping into a dream. Whether it was exploring on a motorbike, kayaking through serene waters, or just soaking in the breathtaking sunsets, Ometepe was pure magic from start to finish! 🌋✨
And that was just the beginning! As we dive into the new year with some exciting plans ahead, I want to take a moment to reflect on 2024—a year of unforgettable adventures.

Over the next few posts, I’ll be looking back at what was easily one of the most spectacular travel years ever.

Three epic journeys. Two continents. A full-on adventure. 🌍

🚍 A wild ride through Central America, traveling overland from Panama to Guatemala, experiencing everything from lush jungles to vibrant cities.
🚗 Two incredible road trips across Europe—one taking us from the spectacular, almost unreal landscapes of Arctic Norway, where the only thing further north is Svalbard, all the way down to sun-drenched Greece, with countless stops in between.

From tropical beaches to rugged mountains, bustling cities to remote wilderness, 2024 was nothing short of legendary.

07/09/2024

While enjoying my morning coffee, I found myself reflecting on the exciting adventures we've had this year. So, what have we accomplished?
We witnessed an incredible sight: a volcano erupting! We hiked Acatenango in Guatemala, where we saw fireballs rolling down the mountain. It was an unforgettable experience. Throughout our travels in Central America, we explored many volcano craters in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
One of our highlights was kayaking in a mangrove river in Nicaragua, nestled between two islands, each crowned with volcanoes. This stunning location is on Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. The island is called Ometepe, and it is a spectacular place to explore!
We also visited numerous cafes across Central America. A standout location was the Ruta de las Flores in El Salvador, a route filled with charming, artsy cafes. You can't miss it when you're in the area!
We took some time to relax in natural pools in both Nicaragua and El Salvador, enjoying the beauty of nature.
Our travels took us to Arctic Norway, one of the northernmost places in Europe. We even visited the world's northernmost craft brewery, Mack Brewery, established in 1877.
In the Arctic, we experienced the Midnight Sun, where the sun shines all night long, while sitting on the beaches of Senja Island.
We were lucky enough to see the Aurora Borealis twice, once in Sweden and once in Estonia. The sight was truly spectacular.
One amusing moment was when we saw an influencer filming a vlog at the Arctic beach during the Midnight Sun. She was dressed in a wetsuit and had a surfboard, yet she never actually went into the water!
We also took the plunge and swam in the Arctic Sea, capturing the moment on video.
Every year brings incredible memories, and I am thrilled with how this year has unfolded so far. Looking ahead, we are excited about our upcoming trip to the Balkans. Our last visit there was so wonderful that we decided to return this year.
I'll leave you with my favorite quote:

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

06/05/2024

Some thoughts and pictures from last year's sabbatical.
We spent 2 months traveling in Southeast Asia. I love this part of the world. I love the freedom, culture, food, diversity, and nature. What I don't love, however, is the overtourism that has hit so hard, especially in Thailand. It is insane; it was not like that when I first visited the place 12 years ago.
What I found, however, is that people follow the herd mentality. They tend to go wherever the most Insta shots are taken, and thus often actually skip the best parts. And by that, I don't mean that where most people go is wrong or bad. No, it is just that tourism has ruined the place that was absolutely beautiful 10 years ago.
I found Northern Thailand the most attractive place in Thailand the last time (last year) we visited. It was my 4th time in Thailand in total, and I've been around. The food is even better, there are hardly any tourists. The culture, the temples. There is everything, except beaches, which are mostly the reason why people don't end up there. And also why I would even now, after being there so many times, still return.
Anyways, this is my 2 cents on the country that is easily one of the best places I've ever set foot in.

28/03/2024

07/03/2024

Traveling with our furry family member for the first time last autumn. I created a video of some of the best moments during our long trip from Tallinn to Albania (and to south Italy).

Our 3 weeks roadtrip from Tallinn to south Italy while passing by some 12 countries on the road. The video focuses on some great moments in few of those coun...

05/03/2024

https://youtu.be/zVTX1jlRoc0?si=BRePBD3ajtu_WmBn
Last year, we worked and lived in southern Italy. Until the end of October, we experienced warm weather of up to 28°C, which allowed us to enjoy some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. The following video provides a bird's-eye view of few of the places we visited during our month-long stay there.

In 2023 autumn we spent a month living in Salento. Delve into our immersive journey through Salento during the autumn of 2023, where we ventured into picture...

22/01/2024

Our trip kicked off with a bang. It was an exhausting flight from Tallinn to Istanbul, spending the night there and taking the next flight to Panama City. A side note: if the time between two flights in Istanbul is 12+ hours, Turkish Airlines should provide a hotel, which they did.

We started our trip to Panama on Saturday at around 5 PM and finally arrived at our accommodation in Panama by Monday morning at around 4 AM (EST time).

Panama City has a nice promenade, some good restaurants and bars, a beautiful old town, and, of course, the world-famous engineering masterpiece - the Canal, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific and being the only option for many ships passing that route. We also visited it.

We agreed to meet with a friend we met in Vietnam. And of course, we found a craft beer brewery (La Rana Dorada) with some juicy IPAs, La Blanche (Belgium style), and Porter among other good beers. I was impressed by the quality.

We stayed three nights in Panama City and took the metro to the airport. It's worth mentioning that the metro costs around 0.85 USD per person, while a taxi has a fixed price of 19 USD (do the math). However, Google doesn't really give the option for the metro (it is new), and it is possible to pay with a regular bank card, Google, or Apple Pay (touch payment) while entering the gate (no need to buy a ticket separately, just like in Singapore).

About an hour later, we arrived at the airport, waited a long time to check-in. At the check-in counter, however, we were denied boarding the flight. So it turned out Panama, among almost all other South American countries, is on the high-risk list, requiring a yellow fever vaccination certificate passport, which we didn't have. It didn't come up during our trip research. The reality was that we lost the flights, and our trip took a major hit. Our accommodation in Nicaragua was not refundable anymore (expired two days ago), and the flight itself to Nicaragua is the most expensive in Central America, easily costing over 400 USD if not booked a month or more beforehand.

We needed to quickly adapt to this new situation, do research, and planning. So we took the trip back to Panama City center and went to the craft beer bar. It's funny, but it's true. Taking a good beer, calming down first helps to take the stress off. Afterward, it is easier to come up with different options, and we did. We decided not to give up but also have a plan B. The requirement was to spend at least 10 days outside of risk zone countries. Costa Rica was the only viable option, which also didn't have restrictions coming from Panama.

Option 1 was to travel by bus for 16 hours to San Jose (Costa Rica), take another bus directly from there 3 hours later to Rivas (Nicaragua), which is another 8 hours (officially). And try to get in from Costa Rica-Nicaragua land border control. If this fails, we would need to get some local bus or taxi back to Costa Rica's bigger center and go to Playa Hermosa (as a plan, we decided it would be our best option). Safe to say, the stress was peaking. We had three points of failure.

San Jose bus station, where they registered us and checked documents. A Brazilian guy needed to present a yellow fever pass to the border official in this station. We got through.

We took the bus to Nicaragua's border, where we first exited the country (paid exit fee 8 USD per person and spent around 1 hour doing so), went to Nicaragua's border, and spent another 1.5 hours getting through, but we were successful.

An hour later, we were in Rivas as our gateway to Ometepe island. And oh yes, we were so relieved. It felt like now our adventure could kick off, which seemed like a distant dream some 26 hours before. In the end, we spent some 30 hours on buses to reach the place we should have just taken 2-hour flights with a layover in El Salvador. But we were there, and we were happy. We ate our first Nicaraguan meal (some quesadillas) and a local beer, Tona, changed USD to the local currency (cordoba), and bought a local SIM card for internet and calls. Now we were set for taking a ferry to Ometepe island.

30/12/2023

In 2023, we visited 18 countries. Some of the best moments can be found in these pictures. A few of my personal favorites include Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Singapore, Langkawi Island (Malaysia), Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Krakow (Poland), Cat Ba Island (Vietnam), the cities of Castor and Lecce (Puglia, Salento, Italy), Piran (Slovenia), and Barcelona (Spain). We spent around 4 months abroad, exploring. We also spent an awesome summer in Estonia (but that's already another post). 2023 was also the first time we traveled together with Moana outside of Estonia.

2023 was an absolutely thrilling year of new experiences, as well as revisiting many familiar places around the world. It marked the first time we worked abroad for an extended period. There was a lot of growth, moments, and adventures. While this marks the end of the year, we are already looking toward our next trip, which will be to Central America—the land of volcanoes, rich history, beaches from both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, and the home of Mayan and ancient civilizations.

20/10/2023

*Exploring Montenegro: A Hidden Gem in the Balkans*

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we're taking you on a journey to the picturesque gem of the Balkans - Montenegro. We recently spent an incredible 5 days in this stunning country, and our base of choice was the charming town of Kotor.

*Kotor - Where Mountains Embrace a Fjord-Like Lake*

Kotor is nothing short of a dream come true for nature lovers. This small town is nestled amidst towering mountains, and at its heart lies a fjord-like lake that's simply breathtaking. We were fortunate to have an apartment right by the lakeside, which meant we could cool off in its pristine waters under the scorching sun. And trust us, jumping into that crystal-clear lake was pure bliss.

Kotor's allure doesn't stop there. The town boasts a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town that will transport you back in time. One of the highlights of our stay was the hike up to the cliff's peak, offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

For Inga, who was on her second visit to Kotor, a bit of remote work was part of the plan, as she had to cover her vacation time. While she was occupied, I spent my time hiking through the breathtaking mountains and strolling through the enchanting Old Town. In the evenings, we unwound and savored some fantastic local wines while soaking in the mesmerizing lake views.

A Weekend Adventure in Montenegro's North

During the weekend, we decided to explore the northern part of the country, where some of Montenegro's most spectacular natural wonders await. This region houses a national park that offers the opportunity to scale the highest point in Montenegro. Unfortunately, due to time constraints and the presence of our little one, Moana, we had to forego this particular adventure. However, we embarked on a memorable hike around the pristine lakes, and both Moana and Inga had a delightful swim.

Montenegro is undeniably one of the crown jewels of the Balkans. Its natural beauty is awe-inspiring and beckons adventurers from far and wide. But, and there's a "but," Kotor, in particular, comes with a price. The town is a magnet for tourists, and each day welcomes new cruise ships into the fjord. It's a double-edged sword - the influx of visitors detracts somewhat from what could easily make Kotor one of the most charming towns in Europe. Nonetheless, it's a destination well worth exploring, and we can't recommend it enough.

So, there you have it, our unforgettable journey through Montenegro. Have you visited this stunning country or dream of doing so? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below; we'd love to hear from you!

28/09/2023

Dubrovnik, Croatia: Our Journey to the Kings Landing!
Welcome to Dubrovnik, a city that needs no introduction, especially to Game of Thrones fans. This enchanting Croatian destination has served as a major filming location for the iconic series, bringing the fantasy world of Westeros to life. But beyond the realm of dragons and knights, Dubrovnik is a breathtaking gem nestled along the Adriatic coast, making it one of the most beautiful cities we've encountered on our Croatian adventure.
Our road to Dubrovnik was nothing short of spectacular, with a coastal drive that rivals even the famed Great Ocean Road in Southern Australia. The azure sea stretches as far as the eye can see, offering vistas that etch themselves into your memory forever.
Once we arrived in Dubrovnik, we were greeted by a city steeped in history and culture. The old town, with its winding streets and centuries-old architecture, is a sight to behold. The best part? Dubrovnik is an eminently walkable city, and we found ourselves staying in a centrally located Airbnb apartment with parking, making it a breeze to explore the city on foot.
However, there was one minor inconvenience to our central accommodation - finding suitable places to take Moana, our beloved four-legged companion, for a walk. The city lacks ample green spaces, which can be frustrating for pet owners like us. Nevertheless, we managed to discover a few hidden green spots to keep Moana happy and active.
One of the highlights of our stay in Dubrovnik was the culinary adventure it offered. We dined at a delightful seafood restaurant, where we indulged in an array of delectable dishes. Fresh oysters and local wine elevated our dining experience to new heights, providing a taste of the Adriatic's culinary treasures that are a rarity back in Estonia.
As we bid farewell to Dubrovnik, our journey continues into the heart of the Balkans. Next on our list are Bosnia and Herzegovina, followed by Montenegro.